Keralan public euphoria, roadshows, and the communist flag confound Western visitors

In India, general elections are often referred to be a “carnival of democracy.” And visitors from outside who arrive during election season find it difficult to comprehend the spectacle.

 

Several foreign visitors to Kerala were shocked that communism still exists there.

The English couple Liliyan and Martin have been touring Kerala and stopping at popular tourist spots including Fort Kochi, Munnar, and Alappuzha. We have been seeing the electoral celebrations of the populace of the world’s biggest democracy. It’s really amazing,” they cried out.

But it was the “red flags with the hammer and sickle” that confused them. Liliyan stated, “We didn’t know communism still existed here,” as the pair strolled along the shore in Fort Kochi.

“Why would Indians want their country to resemble China or Russia?” I ponder.

Martin said, “The couple was in Chennai two weeks ago, and they saw posters for the DMK and NDA.” He grinned, “Yeah, we were shocked to see communist banners in Kerala.

A few days before, the pair remembered watching an electoral rally in Alappuzha. “It was an enormous road show. “Hundreds of people were dancing to loud music,” Martin said, noting that election campaigns in England were often “quiet.”

A pair from New York City named Grace and Jared also showed interest in learning how communism thrived in Kerala.

Some friends informed us, just before we left for India, that Kerala was a communist state, much like Soviet Russia. We saw the warning signs as soon as we arrived here, stated Jared.

The duo went on to say that they found the ongoing campaigns fascinating. Political party banners, posters, and hoardings abound on the buildings and in the streets. It’s incredible how diverse it is. The diversity of political beliefs among the individuals here is fantastic,” Jared said.

“The US has an entirely different electoral system. Our mannerisms are presidential. Here, it seems that more individuals are participating in the electoral process.

Grace expressed her happiness at having a female contender (K J Shine of the LDF) in the campaign. The presence of women in Indian politics is encouraging. It’s a good indication,” she said.

Celie, a French traveler visiting India with her kids, expressed her satisfaction with her decision to come during this election season. “Traveling across nations may teach us about their diverse customs and civilizations. We now have the opportunity to comprehend Indian politics and its complexities more fully,” the woman said.

A number of tourists praised the widespread jubilation that occurs throughout election season. We have spent the last three weeks in India. We observed roadshows and gatherings in Chennai, Pondicherry, and Munnar,” German traveler Kepath, accompanied by his spouse Claudia, said.

“It’s amazing how enthusiastic everyone is. The election’s prominence in this place is a positive thing. I am grateful that you respect democracy.